Mines (11-11, 4-4 RMAC) vs. CSU Pueblo (16-8, 5-3 RMAC) – Friday, 4 p.m. – Jim Darden Field [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (11-11, 4-4 RMAC) vs. CSU Pueblo (16-8, 5-3 RMAC) – Saturday, 12 p.m. – Doubleheader – Jim Darden Field [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (11-11, 4-4 RMAC) vs. CSU Pueblo (16-8, 5-3 RMAC) – Sunday, 12 p.m. – Jim Darden Field [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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BRING ON THE PACK
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play continues this weekend for the Colorado School of Mines Baseball team. The Orediggers are back at home hosting CSU Pueblo at Jim Darden Field. Action starts with a single game on Friday at 4 p.m. That will possibly overlap the Mines softball doubleheader against Fort Lewis. Saturday brings a noon doubleheader which will also share time with the Oredigger softball team and provide a double dip for fans. Sunday's finale features a 12 p.m. start. Mines will look to come out hot against a tough ThunderWolves squad and bounce back from last weekend's sweep at Colorado Mesa.
 
NO TICKETS NEEDED
Due to Spring Break on the Mines campus, admission to this weekend's games will be complimentary. That includes all four baseball games and the softball doubleheaders scheduled for Friday at 12 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. For normal games, fans are encouraged to purchase digital tickets or print tickets at home ahead of the games by going to www.minesathletics.com/tickets. This will expedite the entry process to Jim Darden Field. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children, seniors, and military members. Mines faculty, staff, and students get in free with their Blaster Card.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Every Mines home game and all RMAC games can be seen live and for free on the RMAC Network at www.minesathletics.com/tv. Additionally, the Orediggers' home games will feature play-by-play commentary from Miles Dunklin. The RMAC Network can also be found on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Android TV devices by going to the app store and searching "RMAC." Fans can also follow @OrediggersBSB on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
Conditions on Friday and Saturday should be perfect for baseball. Both days feature a high approaching 60 degrees with partly-cloudy skies and minimal chance of precipitation. However, Sunday will be a race against the weather. The high temperature is set for 47 degrees with a chance for rain and snow. That chance is scheduled for later in the day, but it's Colorado, so who knows.
 
LAST WEEKEND
Mines traveled to Grand Junction, Colo., last weekend for a four-game, RMAC series at Colorado Mesa. Despite leading in every game, the Orediggers suffered a sweep at the hands of the Mavericks. The final score of the opener was 10-6 with Jackson Bakovich taking the decision on the mound. In the doubleheader, CMU won 15-9 and 11-9 with Marcus Lee and Bakovich taking the losses. On Monday, Mesa pulled away for a 15-8 margin. Carter Gorling was the pitcher of decision in that game. Highlights from the weekend included Mason Andrews and Jackson Kay. At the plate Andrews hit .462 across four games and scored nine runs. Kay made three different appearances out of the bullpen and recorded a 0.00 ERA with four strikeouts and three walks across 3.0 innings of work.
 
SCOUTING CSU PUEBLO
Colorado State University Pueblo has had a quality start to the season. The ThunderWolves are 16-8 (5-3 RMAC). However, last weekend, CSU Pueblo split its series at New Mexico Highlands with the Cowboys winning games one and three by scores of 13-3 and 11-10 (10 innings). The Pack won 9-1 in game two and 8-3 in the finale. CSU Pueblo has also split series with Emporia State and Montana State Billings. The ThunderWolves own series wins over UCCS and Colorado Christian. With plenty of weapons in the lineup, Christian Castaneda is the man to watch. Though 24 games, Castaneda is hitting .432 with 32 runs and 40 RBI on 12 doubles and 11 home runs. His 11 long balls leads the RMAC. On the mound, its Tyler Curtis, Travis Farrell, and Edwing Corrales. Curtis is 4-1, Farrell is 3-1 and Corrales is 3-1. Curtis boasts 34 strikeouts compared to three walks. Farrell's line includes 32 strikeouts and 12 walks. Corrales checks in with 24 strikeouts and 13 walks. Nick Perry has three saves in nine appearances with a 5.40 ERA.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE THUNDERWOLVES
Since 2007, Colorado School of Mines has taken 37 games from CSU Pueblo while losing 50. Last season, the Orediggers and ThunderWolves played a non-RMAC game prior to the regular-season conference series. Mines won that game by a score of 10-6. Keene Tanaka had a double and Jackson Woolwine hit a home run. In conference play, the Orediggers and The Pack went 2-2. Mines won the finale in extra innings on a wild pitch and Marcus Lee earned the victory. In the series, Mason Andrews notched two doubles, one triple, and a home run. Ben Schoneman and Luke Folsom took the losses. Blake Ripp had the other win. From 2018-19, Mines won seven straight against CSU Pueblo. Since that time, neither team has taken more than two straight games off the other.
 
WALTER PENNINGTON UPDATE
Those who have been reading these previews know that Walter Pennington was promoted to the Kansas City Royals' big-league roster and reported for Spring Training on Feb. 14. Since that time, Pennington has made seven appearances in spring training. His current resume includes a 0-1 record with a 1.69 ERA thanks to 11 strikeouts and two walks across 5.1 innings. The Broomfield, Colo., native is currently listed as a "non-roster invitee." Last year in the minor league system, Pennington went 7-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 49 appearances including one start. He earned one save as well while striking out 75 batters in 70.2 innings of work.
 
IN THE PROS
Over the last six years, four Orediggers have entered baseball's professional ranks. Mikey Gangwish (2016-19) was the first as he played professionally in Australia before returning to a contract with the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League. He has since retired and earned his master's degree at Mines. The second was Trevor Kehe (2017-19) who was drafted in the 36th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He worked in the Orioles organization for three years and advanced as far as High-A ball with the Aberdeen IronBirds before retiring. Rounding out but leading the trio is Walter Pennington (2017-20).
 
THE SKIPPER
The 2024 campaign marks Mines' sixth season with Robby Bales as head coach. During his tenure as the Oredigger skipper, Bales holds an overall record of 128-96 with a mark of 79-63 in RMAC play. He has coached 17 All-RMAC players, 10 all-region players, three all-Americans, two RMAC Pitcher of the Year winners, one RMAC Freshman of the Year, seven CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, one MLB Draft Pick and had one player signed as a free agent in the MLB. Additionally, Bales has guided Mines to the NCAA Tournament once, and RMAC Tournament three times, advancing to the regional and conference tournament final in 2019. Bales' teams have also performed in the classroom as the squad brought home the RMAC Brechler Award in 2020, 2021, and 2023 as the team boasting the highest combined GPA in the conference.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Mines heads to New Mexico Highlands for Easter Weekend. The Orediggers and Cowboys will play four games in Las Vegas, N.M., running Thursday, March 28, through Saturday, March 30. Free live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be offered at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines baseball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @OrediggersBSB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.